Andy Torres Takes Tel Aviv

Street style star and the blog pioneer behind StyleScrapbook takes the season’s key trends for a spin in the Middle Eastern metropolis.

26 juin 2017

PHOTO: STUDIO EMMA SVENSSON

STYLING: ELLEN PÅLSSON NORBERG

There are worse places to sit down for an interview than on the
rooftop of The Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv, overlooking the infinity of
the Mediterranean on one side, and the high-rising skyscrapers and
miles of urban sprawl on the other. It’s Thursday evening and the city
that’s always down to party is bustling. Fashion entrepreneur and blog
pioneer Andy Torres – also known as StyleScrapbook
– is in the Land of Milk and Honey for the first time, spending
her time on the beach, browsing vintage finds in the ancient port Old
Jaffa, and going to obscure salsa clubs.

“Tel Aviv is completely different than I expected. The
architecture is incredible, the streets are clean and it’s so
incredibly vibrant,” she says while waiting to leave the hotel for an
evening out, wearing a black, off-shoulder jumpsuit paired with an
oversized leather clutch.

Tel Aviv is nicknamed The White City because of the Bauhaus
architecture that makes up much of the city centre, built between the
40s and 60s. It’s a melting pot of different cultures, and its hot
climate and close ties to the sea make it a unique place where
everything happens outside – both on the city streets and on the
world-renowned 15-kilometre-long beach stretch that hosts surfers,
yogis, tourists, worshippers – and everyone else.

“I love sunny and hot cities so Tel Aviv is right down my
alley,” Andy says and continues: “it reminds me of Miami, Venice Beach
[in Los Angeles] and Barcelona – which are three of my favourite
places, but the beaches here are cleaner and there’s just as much or
even more to explore.”

With perpetual sunlight, it’s always summer in Tel Aviv and there are
always crowds sitting on stools outside of restaurants and cafés,
dipping bread in tahini, and cooling down with lemonade or a locally
produced Gold Star beer.

One restaurant that captures the spirit of Tel Aviv’s endless
summers is Port Sa’id, which is located just across from the largest
synagogue in town, and named “the capital of Tel Avivan hipster life”
by TimeOut Magazine. Unless you arrive at the restaurant very early or
very late – you should be prepared to wait on the curb until one of
the effortlessly cool waitresses calls your name.

“It’s definitely worth waiting to eat at Port Sa’id. Everything is
really fresh, it’s a great vibe and a meeting place for young people,”
says Andy Torres.

WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SUMMER OUTFIT? “In the summer, I’m the
kind of person who can wear the same T-shirt for three days straight.
In the winter I love layering, and wearing warm clothes, so
hot-weather dressing is a little tricky for me. I’m less creative and
trend-focused and instead try to be more smart about what I wear –
opting for comfy dresses, jumpsuits, and minimalistic pieces. However,
I’m never boring, I can’t be boring when it comes to style, so I
always have something on that pops, be it earrings, a cool bag or just
an all-over printed dress or top.”

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT SUMMER? “I’m from Mexico, and
because I grew up in a hot climate, I never really understood the
power of summer until I moved to Europe, to Amsterdam. It makes people
(myself included) so happy. I love to rent a boat and go around on the
canals in Amsterdam, or just hang out on a beach, listening to music
and eating food when I’m abroad.”

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WHEN GOING ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY? “I
want to find somewhere I can dance. EDM culture is really big in
Amsterdam, and I’m not at all into it. I try to find obscure salsa
clubs and weird places like that where I can really, really, dance.”

I can’t be boring when it comes to style, so I always have
something on that pops.

ANDY TORRES

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR DESTINATION?
“I unpack and put everything in the hotel wardrobe. I’m actually
really organised! Then I go on Yelp or ask my followers to DM [direct
message on Instagram] me about the best places to eat, drink, dance
and beach.”

WHAT TYPE OF BEACH ARE YOU INTO? “I need things to do when I’m
on the beach, and I don’t mind having people to look at when I’m
there. With temps hitting well over 30 in Tel Aviv, I’ll be on the
beach, more specifically in the water, till late in the afternoon
before I start exploring the town.”

BIG CITY OR SMALL BEACH TOWN? “I need the buzz of a big city
and the convenience, and all the opportunities of things to do. I need
the energy that city life provides.”

BACKPACKING OR RESORT? “Hell no to backpacking! But I
should probably try it just to get out of my comfort zone.”

POOL OR OCEAN? “Ocean – one hundred percent. I grew up going
to the beach and have the best memories of my life from beach days
with my family. I don’t understand people who don’t go to the ocean.”

IF YOU COULD ONLY PACK ONE THING – WHAT WOULD IT BE? “One
thing? That’s impossible. I’d have to bring my laptop though, I think
the world might stop if I don’t have it with me [laughs].”

ANDY TORRES’ GUIDE TO TEL AVIV

HOW TO GET THERE “Airplane is the only way! It’s a big city so
it’s easy to reach, which is good because I don’t like stopovers or
waiting in different airports.”

WHAT TO PACK “I actually have an in-depth method for packing,
where I plan several outfits per day and organise each one in
different folders in my phone. I usually end up with a couple of very
heavy suitcases. For a beach day, I try to keep it simple with a
bathing suit, a caftan and some vibrant accessories.”

WHERE TO BEACH “I need to have fun at the beach. I love paddle
boarding, and I like the convenience of a city beach with heaps of
restaurants, freshwater showers and plenty of after-beach options. I
mostly hang out on Gordon beach and Hilton beach, which are great for
watersports and people watching.”

WHERE TO EAT “The locals are the best guides, and I was
recommended to go to Port Sa’id. You get small dishes to share, which
you eat with your hands off a piece of cardboard. The tahini and
hummus are amazing, and the vibe is really exciting.”

WHERE TO PONDER “I love to sit on the beach, listening to the
sound of the ocean. Both the blue colour and the sound of waves
rolling in really calm me down.”